More from The JET Programme's After JET Guide, 2007:
What is Culture Shock? It is the experience one feels when spending considerable amount of time in one culture and then breaking in to a culture quite different. Reverse culture shock is when that person returns to their first culture after spending a considerable amount of time in their adopted culture. Here's a list of suggestions to beat the odds while experiencing the transition back into your main culture:
1. Be prepared: remember that reverse culture shock is both real and common.
2. Acknowledge your feelings, denial will only prolong the situation.
3. Remember some of your favorite stories will be out of context for your friends.
4. Be patient with your friends and with yourself.
5. Let your friends fill you in on what's "in" at home: TV shows, music, gadgets
6. Build a new community and find people who have had similar experiences.
7. Volunteer or find work that connects you to Japan.
8. Stay in contact with fellow JET alumni; share your re-entry experiences.
9. Keep up your Japanese, take a class or do a language exchange.
10. And don't forget, you can always go back to Japan even just to visit.
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